Game 99: Tigers at Royals

PREGAME: Don’t know if you heard, but the Tigers are 0-6 against the Royals this year. In those 6 games the Tigers have managed all of 11 runs. They been shut out twice. Tonight’s starter Luke Hochevar held the Tigers to 4 hits, 3 walks, and no runs in 6 innings when the teams met earlier this year. He was hammered in 2 of his last 3 starts but allowed just 1 run in a 7 inning outing his last time out.

For the Tigers Zach Miner returns to the rotation. He made one emergency start in 2007, but that’s it dating back to September 2006. You may remember that start as part of the series when the Tigers blew the division. Miner did his part by recording 1 out, amidst allowing 5 runs.

POSTGAME: Too late for a proper recap. Zach Miner was awesome. He wavered a little bit after a 3rd inning single to Gathright. He started floating pitches outside, but he recovered, got the GIDP, and didn’t let another runner touch second base.

And then the offense. The 3-4-5 trio of Guillen-Cabrera-Joyce came to the plate 18 times and only made 4 outs. That makes for good offense. So does the corpse that was known earlier tonight as Jimmy Gobble who was charged with 10 runs in one inning of work. Manager Trey Hillman will likely be charged with crimes against humanity.

The bullpen wasn’t good. Freddy Dolsi was rocked and Aquilino Lopez was also hit hard – but more of his balls found mitts.

Tigers baseball, just when you think it can’t get any worse, it gets a little better. The White Sox and Twins both lose and the Tigers are 5.5 out. Damn that Saturday game.

137 Comments

stephen

July 21, 2008 at 7:36 pm

Bringing this over from the other thread…
I think Coleman and Chris in Dallas are deep into a mancrush. It’s so sweet! I remember when TSmith and I bonded in 07 over Inge idiocy and Dombro’s not getting any relief help. We were so happy then!
So many memories…

Coleman

July 21, 2008 at 7:44 pm

Hey I heard that. This is really a jealous Sean C, isn’t it? Well don’t worry Stephen/Sean, you are mistaken. It’s no mancrush, it’s death match!

(OK, perhaps death match is a bit much. But it’s hard to be level-headed when around the corner waits a game vs the KC @#!!! Royal!@@

Joel in Seattle

July 21, 2008 at 8:01 pm

Now taking wagers for which bottom-third of the order player will destroy the Tigers in this series!

I call dibs on Ross Gload.

Joel in Seattle

July 21, 2008 at 8:01 pm

By the way, it’s no fair picking Inge or Renteria. They have to be on the other team.

Coleman

July 21, 2008 at 8:28 pm

Joel in Ichiroville: “Now taking wagers for which bottom-third of the order player will destroy the Tigers in this series!” That’s harder than it sounds, since the Royals have all 9 guys batting in the 6-9 spots I think.

I do predict Inge will have a minimal impact on the outcome though.

cib

July 21, 2008 at 9:07 pm

Inge would have had that.

😉

Coleman

July 21, 2008 at 9:13 pm

It’s just great to know that the Royal Evil is no match for Catt Power!

Coleman

July 21, 2008 at 9:14 pm

Inge would have turned 2 on that — oh wait, Guillen did too!

billfer

July 21, 2008 at 9:18 pm

Miner started to teeter on the brink of losing it after the single. Suddenly he started avoiding the strike zone way outside. Hopefully the DP will get him righted.

106 pitches combined through 3. Yeah, this game is just flying by.

Coleman

July 21, 2008 at 9:21 pm

All those pitches from the other side don’t seem to be a drag on the time at all, especially when they sometimes take a return trip out of the park…

Ryan P

July 21, 2008 at 9:27 pm

Every time I see the Who’s Your Tiger commercial – “Who can turn on a dime and then turn on the power”…I want to puke.

Coleman

July 21, 2008 at 9:28 pm

Here’s a “who would have thought” stat: Currently Marcus Thames is hitting home runs at an amazing pace of 1/10.4 AB.

Matt Joyce is now hitting a HRs at a pace of 1/10.5 AB

T Smith

July 21, 2008 at 9:28 pm

Prime example of Rangeless Renteria. It was a tough play to turn, but certainly doable. Fortuantely, Gorden doesn’t make us pay for mediocre defense.

Here’s my question that I keep forgetting to ask: Does anyone know if Curtis can run at will or if Leyland’s got the reigns on him?

Coleman

July 21, 2008 at 9:34 pm

Mike R: “Does anyone know if Curtis can run at will or if Leyland’s got the reigns on him?”

Since he keeps running Ordonez and Cabrera and Thames and whoever else, it stands to reason that Leyland would keep the reins tight on Granderson, to prevent any unwise decisions on his part to take off…

Hm. I was just hoping someone knew something that I didn’t Coleman. I just don’t understand why we don’t utilize some of the little speed that we do have. It’s not like Curtis was a terrible base stealer last year. I just won’t ever fully understand Jim Leyland. Nor do I want to.

billfer

July 21, 2008 at 9:36 pm

That ball to Renteria was going to be a hit regardless. It was hit soft enough that Renteria was able to get to it in the first place. Grudzielandeiesalkdfdsa can run well enough. Maybe if Cabrera or Renteria are running its an out, but that’s about it.

billfer

July 21, 2008 at 9:37 pm

Mike – Rod was just saying that Granderson generally has the green light. Leyland will take it off sometimes, but Curtis can generally go.

Chief Monday

July 21, 2008 at 9:37 pm

Tigers up 7-0, WhiteSox down 3-1, Twins down 11-3.

It’s a chief Monday.

T Smith

July 21, 2008 at 9:38 pm

I’m fairly confident Renteria could turn on a crop circle, though. Provided he’s not abducted by alien scouts for his defensive prowess.

Just when you start to give up completely on the Tigers’ playoff hopes, you get sucked back in by a night like this one (knocking on wood with regards to the Sox).

T Smith

July 21, 2008 at 9:43 pm

Mike R:

According to Granderson (can’t remember where I read it — maybe on his blog) he has a green light to run whenever he wants. I think the turning point was the game he got picked off at first. I think he’s been skidish even since.

Coleman

July 21, 2008 at 9:50 pm

Curtis isn’t a terrible base stealer, but oddly he is not a particularly good one either, this season. He seemed much better last. It could be partly physical (I think he’s been quietly playing not at full health off and on), partly lack of confidence from his early slumps, probably also just not being on base in the right situations. But considering last season he was 26/27, and this season so far 6/10 in SB, that doesn’t seem right.

So at this moment I’d say our best base-stealing threat is…Sheffield. Seriously. If he ever, you know, actually got on base.

I can’t figure out why Inge can’t seem to steal bases. He’s fast enough, and you would think he’d have a pretty quick first couple of steps, considering how quick he is on the one step and a dive “double-stopper” plays at 3rd…

Andrew

July 21, 2008 at 9:59 pm

I love this blog, I check it everyday, but it sure has seemed to be pretty negative lately. The Tigers are 6.5 games out in our division. It’s mid-July. The season is far from over. We have a relevant, even under-the-radar team, of our very own, finally. That’s saying a lot considering the 15 or so years before 2006. I’m just saying. Put things in perspective a bit, and enjoy the ride. It’s not over until it’s over.

T Smith

July 21, 2008 at 10:03 pm

As a general rule, the Tigers need to try to improve their stealing game. Games like tonight are perfect times to try it out. There is no reason why players like Joyce and Raburn shouldn’t be trying to steal. Guillen and Pudge and even Polonco both all steal if they have to, but you’d hate to risk any of them getting hurt just for the sake of stealing.

I know the Tigers aren’t trying to be anything but a station-to-station team, but for heaven’s sake, they’re last in the league and autrocious. It wouldn’t hurt them to at least try to pick up their running game a little bit.

Coleman

July 21, 2008 at 10:05 pm

This is an odd game. If you would have told me that in the 7th inning we’d have 2 walks and 7 strikeouts, I’d be thinking oh great, another typical Royals game.

This is kind of the opposite of how games went when the team was losing so proficiently; rather than a bunch of base runners evenly divided over the innings who end up doubled-up or stranded, followed by a solo home run or two, the hitting has come in clusters.

Really, we have had 2 big hits so far, no more than we often had in those lovely 4-2 losses. It’s just that they happened right after the walks and singles, and before the strikeouts, instead of the other way around.

Is it luck? A batting order nuance? Karma? Cats?

tiff

July 21, 2008 at 10:08 pm

great start for Miner. Color me impressed (thats orange and blue for those wondering what color ‘impressed’ is).

Chris

July 21, 2008 at 10:08 pm

Absolutely outstanding performince by Miner. Can we get another inning out of him?

Thanks. I wasn’t sure if it was Leyland putting on the breaks or Granderson putting the breaks on himself. I don’t need him to go swipe 200 bags a year, but no reason for him to not be stealing 15-20 a year.

Other thing I wonder: Where’s the hit and run when Curtis is on and Polanco’s up?

Forty

July 21, 2008 at 10:10 pm

Would we really call polanco becoming a citizen a “nice accomplishment,” royals announcers? A nice accomplishment is going a season without an error. Becoming a citizen is a decision…

cib

July 21, 2008 at 10:18 pm

Wow. Can we get each of the Tigers to adopt a kitten??

Coleman

July 21, 2008 at 10:18 pm

I’d actually be happy not running all that much, assuming the Tigers don’t continue the GIDP tendency. We may have a paltry stolen base total, but I like to see stats like this for the SB/CS:

Guillen 8/2
Pudge 6/1
Sheff 5/0
Polano 3/0
Clete 2/0

Granderson I’m assuming will improve on the 6/4. Then there’s Renteria: 3/3. There was a day when he was a real threat; I don’t know if that day’s ever coming back.

One guy I’d like to see try perhaps: Santiago. Who has 0 attempts. He seems to be a high % base stealer over his career. He hasn’t played much, but he has been on base 25-30 times…

Coleman

July 21, 2008 at 10:23 pm

Wow, first Joyce joins Marcus in the HR per 10 AB club, now he’s putting Granderson on notice that his Mr Triple title’s no done deal…

Chief Monday

July 21, 2008 at 10:39 pm

I’m not giving up on the Tigers. The Tigers have been playing great ball for awhile now. They have had a chance to win almost every single game in past 6 weeks or so. They are on the brink of being a very dominating team.

Most people here, including myself, dwell on the Tigers weaknesses and their upsetting loses, while forgetting about how great they have been playing.

Mishaps and mistakes is what baseball is about. Think about Babe Ruth getting traded to the Yankees. Think about Bill Buckner missing that ball in the World Series. Think about being a Cubs fan or being Steve Bartman.

If we’re looking for perfection, maybe we should watch figure skating, or gymnastics, or platform diving. We’re not going to find much perfection in baseball. In baseball, we’ll usually see more terrible plays than great plays.

Chief Monday

July 21, 2008 at 10:43 pm

The Royals are making plenty of bad plays Tonight. The Tigers deserve credit though. Minor was huge.

Chris

July 21, 2008 at 10:45 pm

Boy Chief Monday, you are the DWB official optimist…

Forty

July 21, 2008 at 10:46 pm

Gobble’s been pretty huge too

Chief Monday

July 21, 2008 at 10:47 pm

The White Sox pitching has given up 5 runs or more in 9 out of the last 10 game they’ve played.

Chris

July 21, 2008 at 10:48 pm

Way to pad those stats….. Can we save a few runs for tomorrow though?

Forty

July 21, 2008 at 10:50 pm

So is it ok to bring in the rollercoaster with a 15 run lead? Or is that too high leverage for him?

Chris

July 21, 2008 at 10:50 pm

Here’s a bit of mercy for poor Jimmy Gobble: Edgar Rentarea

Chris

July 21, 2008 at 10:52 pm

Time to yank Jimmy Gobble when he can’t get the easiest out in the tiger lineup.

Ryan P

July 21, 2008 at 10:54 pm

I think I’d like to hit 20 tonight. We’ve been close a few times this season and tonight seems like a fine night.

Also I would enjoy getting our 2nd (?) shutout.

billfer

July 21, 2008 at 10:54 pm

I can’t believe Hillman is doing this to Gobble. This is just brutal, even if you are sending him down after this. The guy is gassed and is just praying the ball goes at somebody.

Forty

July 21, 2008 at 10:55 pm

God this is great…this is for playing us completely differently from the way you play the twinks and sox

Coleman

July 21, 2008 at 10:55 pm

It’s hard not to pity him; because even if he were’nt heading into mercy rule territory–he’s still named Gobble.

Ryan P

July 21, 2008 at 10:55 pm

Make it happen, Miguel.

Joel in Seattle

July 21, 2008 at 10:56 pm

Andrew:

You’ll have to forgive us. The Tigers started the night at .500.

Chris

July 21, 2008 at 10:57 pm

This is trully a hidious thing Hillman is doing… Shame on him.

Forty

July 21, 2008 at 10:58 pm

Good thing he has two arm angles, hate to think what that inning would have been like otherwise

Freddy Solid doing just what he’s best at: Mediocrity bordering on the side of down right bad!

Dave BW

July 21, 2008 at 11:19 pm

Hilariously, we may actually need to use Zumaya to finish this game

Jeff

July 21, 2008 at 11:20 pm

And people probably thought that 8th inning outburst was just a bunch of guys trying to pile up statistics, scoring runs that weren’t at all necessary for a victory . . .

Ryan

July 21, 2008 at 11:21 pm

I actually wouldn’t be too shocked if Leyland wasted Zumaya in this game. The man has no idea how to micromanage a bullpen. No wonder Dolsi is pitching badly lately. He’s gone from a one inning set up man to a multiple inning middle relief guy.

Dave BW

July 21, 2008 at 11:23 pm

btw, Jimmy Gobble is apparently the first reliever to give up ten runs in one inning. Ever.

Jeff

July 21, 2008 at 11:23 pm

Dolsi’s ERA was always way ahead of his peripherals, so his recent mediocrity was a bit predictable (just as Jones, even when he was 16 for 16, was a train wreck in the making).

Dave BW

July 21, 2008 at 11:23 pm

Tony Pena, Jr is now pitching. Awesome.

cib

July 21, 2008 at 11:24 pm

Always glad for a win but I would rather just have had the 6 or 7 runs and finish it out without this mess. It’s this kind of sloppiness/inconsistency that is the problem. I don’t get excited about the 19 run games because when I go to the game this Friday, it could easily be the other way around. Frustrating.

But kudos to Zach Miner. Glorious!

Tbone

July 21, 2008 at 11:24 pm

Pena pitching? Yikes,what did I miss tonight?

Coleman

July 21, 2008 at 11:24 pm

billfer: “Meanwhile in a corner of the dugout a brooding Nate Robertson wonders why he can’t get this kind of run support.”

On the other hand, he may be thinking: wow, what if I was named Nate Gobble….

Chief Monday

July 21, 2008 at 11:25 pm

It’s just one game, but it also probably destroyed the Royals. If the Tigers were on the other side of this massacre nearly everyone here would quit for the season.

This is a huge win for the Tigers any way you look at it. Minor stepped up in a big way. The fireworks were nice too.

The WhiteSox have been terrible lately. Their pitching has given up 70 runs in the past 10 games.

Coleman

July 21, 2008 at 11:49 pm

Jeff says: “Dolsi’s ERA was always way ahead of his peripherals, so his recent mediocrity was a bit predictable”

See now that’s the sort of statement that spoils my night, because I’m pretty sure it actually means something, and yet I feel all Gobble-y when I venture upon exactly what…Is that kind of like saying he’s been a sort of Twin, where no way his ERA should be what it is considering his B/K, WHIP, etc?

I suppose that makes more sense than my “Preferred Catcher” theory (and that’s before today):

And with starters–it’s the opposite! So that when you look at the team totals with each catcher:

Pudge catching: BA .265 OPS .756
Inge catching: BA .265 OPS .759

The reason I bothered with this is that it’s the type of statistic I enjoy finding. The totals say, dead even, no difference, on to the next thing. But the fact is the matching numbers come from adding very different starter/reliever numbers. Which is still more likely to be coincidental than anything else, but it’s the type of thing that turns out to be useful to notice sometimes…

Chief Monday

July 22, 2008 at 12:57 am

I’ve been checking the schedules of all the playoff contending teams in the American League.

By the looks of it, the Tigers and Twins have the easiest remaining schedule. While the White Sox and Yankees have the toughest. The White Sox are already playing bad ball right now, things are just going to get worse for them.

Boston has 25 games left vs play-off contending teams teams-
9 games vs the Yankees
6 games vs the Rays
7 games vs the White Sox
0 games vs the Tigers
0 games vs the Twins
3 games vs the Angels

tough non-contenders-
(6 games vs the Rangers)
(3 games vs the Athletics)

Tampa Bay has 29 games left vs play-off contending teams teams-
6 games vs the Yankees
6 games vs the Red Sox
3 games vs the White Sox
7 games vs the Tigers
4 games vs the Twins
3 games vs the Angels

tough non-contenders-
(3 games vs the Rangers)
(5 games vs the Athletics)

New York has 34 games left vs play-off contending teams teams-
6 games vs the Rays
9 games vs the Red Sox
4 games vs the White Sox
1 games vs the Tigers
5 games vs the Twins
9 games vs the Angels

tough non-contenders-
(4 games vs the Rangers)
(0 games vs the Athletics)

Chicago has 33 games left vs play-off contending teams teams-
4 games vs the Yankees
3 games vs the Rays
7 games vs the Red Sox
9 games vs the Tigers
7 games vs the Twins
3 games vs the Angels

tough non-contenders-
(2 games vs the Rangers)
(3 games vs the Athletics)

Minnesota has 23 games left vs play-off contending teams teams-
5 games vs the Yankees
4 games vs the Rays
0 games vs the Red Sox
3 games vs the Tigers
7 games vs the White Sox
4 games vs the Angels

tough non-contenders-
(0 games vs the Rangers)
(7 games vs the Athletics)

Detroit has 23 games left vs play-off contending teams teams-
1 games vs the Yankees
7 games vs the Rays
0 games vs the Red Sox
9 games vs the White Sox
3 games vs the Twins
3 games vs the Angels

tough non-contenders-
(6 games vs the Rangers)
(6 games vs the Athletics)

Los Angelos has 25 games left vs play-off contending teams teams-
9 games vs the Yankees
3 games vs the Rays
3 games vs the Red Sox
3 games vs the White Sox
4 games vs the Twins
3 games vs the Tigers

tough non-contenders-
(10 games vs the Rangers)
(6 games vs the Athletics)

Vince in MN

July 22, 2008 at 1:13 am

19 runs again tonight! Does this mean they get shutout tomorrow?

Kevin in Austin

July 22, 2008 at 2:44 am

Just got to catch up, my favorite posts of the evening:

Forty:
July 21st, 2008 at 10:58 pm

Good thing he (Gobble) has two arm angles, hate to think what that inning would have been like otherwise
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Chris:
July 21st, 2008 at 10:58 pm

I like our chances tonight……

William

July 22, 2008 at 8:12 am

#1 re: the schedule p[ost above– glad we only play the Twins 3 more times. and we get Ozzie & Co. 9 times.

#2 I hope the White Sox pitching stays in a funk for another week or so.

Clayton Richard is starting for the White Sox tonight, former Michigan QB gets his first major league start. We could gain another game on the White Sox

tiff

July 22, 2008 at 10:17 am

I agree with Vince… to me tonights game will signal a turnaround: earlier this season we scored 19 runs one game, only to score ONE the next game. What do we do tonight?

I don’t get to happy about 19 runs in a game, and I felt horrible for Gobble being hung out to dry.

Oh and Chief Monday, I want some of that optomism you’re smoking! Mine was running low for a little bit.

Chris in Dallas

July 22, 2008 at 10:39 am

I wonder if the Tigers can trade for the Pena kid. He looked solid out of the bullpen last night.

Andre

July 22, 2008 at 10:41 am

definitely almost ran to the ‘puter last night on the single that got past Guillen during Miner’s one shaky inning…kinda glad it didn’t matter. still, can’t help but wonder why Jimmy can’t find a way to keep Inge at 3rd without moving Guillen out of the lineup.

went to sleep at 9-0 Tigs, how do i still miss half the runs they’d score?

Sean C. in Illinois

July 22, 2008 at 11:05 am

Hey hey. I’ll take a 19-4 drubbing. More runs than in the previous 6 versus the Royals. Progression to the mean. Maybe numbers really do control the universe.

Good news about Miner. Maybe they can just stick with him as a starter after a year and a half of bullpen nonsense. Stick with him and find out once and for all.

Matt Joyce! Dude! Is this guy for real? I’m getting worried that Marcus is becoming expendable. I’ve started to have visions of a Big Bopper platoon in LF for 2009.

Speaking of Thames, a few too many multi-K ofers lately.

Great game for Guillen and Cabrera, too, to say the least. 19 runs with no Maggs. That’s something.

Freddy Solid isn’t so. Disappointing. This team is going to need a bullpen sometime soon (like, tonight) for those games where they don’t score 19. Tell me the last time a Detroit Tigers bullpen performance made you go wow. I can’t remember anything like this recently.

David G.

July 22, 2008 at 11:08 am

Just so everyone knows that I’m doing my part, I was at The Saturday Disaster at Camden Yards, and I gave the door to my section on The club level 3rd base side a might punch on my way out, as soon as I saw Maggs sprinting in as Scott’s ball flew over his head. I’m happy to report that I did not break my hand so I assume the door got the worst of the encounter.

Sean C. in Illinois

July 22, 2008 at 11:17 am

I’d like to have last night’s Tigers 8th inning on DVD and loop it, use it as the video wallpaper for my computer. I don’t feel sorry for Gobble. He’s an adult, not a Little Leaguer. It’s 10 runs in 1 inning, not, say, being captain of the Exxon Valdez or being Steve Bartman.

Loved Billfer’s Nate in the dugout comment.

Sean C. in Illinois

July 22, 2008 at 11:27 am

“This is really a jealous Sean C, isn’t it?”

No, Coleman, Stephen’s his own man. But I admit I would be jealous if you and Chris in D started going steady. Even so, I realize I’m not ready for a committed DTW relationship just yet. I need time to get over being left by Mark in Chicago (did I come on too strong?)

So, be it known that I’m just “having a good time.” It’s fun to share a few stats and some disparaging Whipping Boy remarks, but then it’s good night, and maybe I’ll post tomorrow and maybe I won’t. I don’t want to lead anyone on.

Chris in Dallas

July 22, 2008 at 12:07 pm

So I’m going to set the over/under for Tigers runs tonight at 1. I’ll take the under.

Unlike Sean, who is apparently going with his sound “gut feelings”, I am, based on historical trends (although I admit it is a small sample size), predicting that the Tigers fall by the wayside 6-2 this evening.

It will work like this: The Tigers will jump out to a quick 2-0 lead, but in the early going the Wicked Witch of the Central will cast a sleeping spell over them and the bats will fall silent (e.g Sheffield will hit 3 soft grounders to the pitcher, there will be some called third strikes on fastballs down the middle, etc.). On the mound Rogers will implode in the mddle innings (ditto the bullpen) and the Royals will take the lead. Although the Tigers will mount a few feeble attempts to get back in the game, Leyland, more dopey than usual, will order Marcus Thames to steal third with two out, not once, but twice, and he will be thrown out both times, ending the “rally” in each case. Brandon Inge will falter as well, continuing to bring down his BABiP with RISP. With no Good Witch Glenda to cause a snowstorm in July cancelling out the sleeping spell of the evil Witch of the Central, The Tigers snooze through all their opportunities and KC wins.

Sean C. in Illinois

July 22, 2008 at 1:15 pm

Vince, I like your script, really I do. It has a certain dark realism to it. But you have to understand the audience we’re going for here. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like you to rework it a little. Nothing major, except that our heroes have to come through in the end. This is a series, not film noir. We really can’t kill off the protagonists like that – you understand, don’t you? Also, we need some human interest, a warm and fuzzy touch. I was thinking Carlos could hit 3 HR for his wife and new baby, and during the highlights they could play that Chicago (or Peter Cetera?) “Glory Of Love” song. I could see using your darker angle as a kind of dream sequence for the Jim Leyland character, though. Definitely. We could see him struggling with his compulsion to send Marcus, and then it becomes clear that Thames isn’t even on base. You know, set up a bit of tension, and then – boom – a bit of unexpected comedy. Just saying. I used to do this, after all. I’m not trying to tell you how to do your job. Just suggestions.

Ryan

July 22, 2008 at 1:25 pm

I think the Giants can solve a lot of problems if they can scrape together a win streak. Being only 8.5 back in an awful division, they are one good week away from being a genuine playoff contender. They essentially have a SS black hole. They play in the NL. If they get to contention, they may want to trade for Renteria. With their rotation consisting of Lincecum/Sanchez/Lowry/Cain/Zito for the forseeable future, they may be willing to part with a pretty good pitching prospect to do it. It may end up being an opportunity to both get Renteria out of the lineup and obtain a prospect that can help in the pen this year and fight for a starting spot next year.
I think a guy like, say, Sosa, Bumgarner or Alderson would really add a lot of depth to the system, and maybe help in the bullpen right now. The Tigers may even be able to include Rodney and get two of those guys back, freeing up a space for Rapada. If the Giants do put a streak together, this is a chance to improve both the farm system and the ML club at once.

Go Giants!

Chris in Dallas

July 22, 2008 at 1:27 pm

Well, my over/under comment was a joke. So now I’ll make a serious prognostication. Just like Jimmy the Greek except without the blatant racism. Considering that Kyle Davies is toeing the rubber (that sounds kind of perverted if you ask me), I’m thinking the Tigers can at least muster a 5 spot. He doesn’t strike anybody out and walks his fair share. I could see someone like Curtis Granderson having a big night. Maybe a 3-5 with a couple of the XBH’s. Rogers has been chewing up the innings lately (going into at least the 7th 7 of his last 10 starts), so hopefully he can do that again while allowing 3 or less. Then Zumaya comes in and gives up a couple of baserunners with no further damage in the 8th. I am not bold enough to predict what Todd Jones will do in the 9th, though. Just know that it will be 5-3 when he enters, and whoknowswhat when he leaves.

Chris in Dallas

July 22, 2008 at 1:29 pm

Ryan: Don’t forget that the Giants LOVE them some veterans, and E-Rent fits that bill nicely.

tiff

July 22, 2008 at 1:33 pm

Curtis Granderson will triple to show Matt Catt Joyce he’s not the only game in town.

Carlos will continue to get hits (two maybe) because his baby likes to eat a lot (seriously, what was that Mario?)

And Miguel will push is BA to 297.

Ryan

July 22, 2008 at 1:52 pm

Chris – Yeah. That too. When you really think about it, it’s almost too good to be true/happen. If DD can spin Edgar into a prospect, that trade starts to look less circus-bad.

Raburn safe at first in the 5th inning on a ground ball to short, Pena can’t keep it in his glove and throws a sinker in the dirt to 1st. Scored an error on the SS, but really the first baseman should have been able to one-hop that one, tough call.

Sean C. in Illinois

July 22, 2008 at 2:38 pm

“Your math is slightly flawed, Sean.”

Thanks, Ryan. What was I thinking? Scarier still, I would have continued to believe it true if you hadn’t said something.

Sean C. in Illinois

July 22, 2008 at 3:01 pm

No way Raburn bats in the 5th, Coleman. That’s ludicrous. You’re way off.

Chris in Dallas

July 22, 2008 at 3:03 pm

I hope I-Rod bats in the 5th. He kills that inning. Or was that Inge? I forget.

I’m sticking with my initial prediction… if things go south in this series, it will be because of Ross Gload.

Where do they get these guys? Gobble? Gload? Grudzielanek?

Chris in Dallas

July 22, 2008 at 4:07 pm

Joel: I’m thinking it will be Mike Aviles’ doing. That man is the devil incarnate.

Dave BW

July 22, 2008 at 4:23 pm

We have to win tonight, because tomorrow my heterosexual life-partner Zack Greinke will surely bring doom to us all!

Sean C. in Illinois

July 22, 2008 at 5:18 pm

I am currently sponsoring legislation for a new constitutional amendment that will prohibit heterosexual life-partnerships with Kansas City Royals starters. This outrage threatens the American way of life and is an abomination unto the Lord. Besides, what’s wrong with Justin Verlander?

Ryan in Brooklyn

July 22, 2008 at 5:26 pm

Chris is D: “I’m thinking it will be Mike Aviles’ doing. That man is the devil incarnate.”

Seriously, his name can be anagramed to Evil Eskimo! (well, actually Eskima – but it’s still freaky!)

Joel in Seattle

July 22, 2008 at 5:51 pm

As the delegate from the State of Washington, I’ve already ratified the amendment.

Chris in Dallas

July 22, 2008 at 5:59 pm

“Besides, what’s wrong with Justin Verlander?”

We’ve all seen JV’s chick. He’s not on the market for heterosexual life partnerships.

Joel in Seattle

July 22, 2008 at 6:03 pm

Ross Gload gives us the anagram Glass Odor.

When you consider who owns the Royals, I think this is not coincidence…

Chris in Dallas

July 22, 2008 at 6:12 pm

Ross Gload also anagrams into “Drools Gas”. I’m not sure what that means, but it sounds funny anyway. Also “A-Rod’s Logs” can be made from those letters, but I’m not touching that with a 40 foot pole. “Go, Ass Lord”. Again, not touching that one.

Coleman

July 22, 2008 at 7:59 pm

“Chris is D: “I’m thinking it will be Mike Aviles’ doing. That man is the devil incarnate.”

I’m not sure if you heard, but yesterday “KANSAS CITY’S MIKE AVILES EXTENDED HIS HITTING STREAK TO 11 GAMES WITH A SINGLE IN THE FIRST INNING”

This is true. Unless…unless Leyland gets the secret message I left inside one of Cabrera’s candy bars, reminding him to play “Day Game” Inge tomorrow, who by the way hits Greinke at a career rate of .318/.375/.636/1.011

Only Tiger Fan in Mississippi A good read on the Tiger's inability to work any deals during the Winter Meetings.
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2016/12/05/detroit-tigers-winter-meetings/95021824/
I have thought all was

StorminNorman$ http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/red-sox-to-acquire-chris-sale.html
DD still making the moves - Sale traded to BOS... the "good news", now DET will only have to

Tony de Florida Agree, without Miggy and JV attendance should go in the tank unless we're getting Trout from the Angels or Jake

Smoking Loon Stormin, in my opinion Detroit is a worse and less interesting team without Verlander and Cabrera, a team without a

StorminNorman$ word on the street is that Tiger fans should get used to mediocrity, unless some of the young players and

Tony de Florida I've been too busy to add my wisdom (please control your laughter) but have been trying to read the blog

StorminNorman$ i could see DD bringing him to BOS to replace Big Sloppy, but i doubt BOS would give up much

Only Tiger Fan in Mississippi V-Mart trade talk:
http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/209950064/tigers-victor-martinez-drawing-interest/
As we know, while the guy can certainly hit a baseball, he isn't the fastest thing around